Sharon, in the winter does it get very cold? Sometimes a place can form its own Saharan-style climate - hot in summer, cold in winter (instead of hot in the day, and cold at night), and so planting needs to reflect a big range in temperature.

Yes thank you for all your suggestions very helpful..I don't really no which to put there evergreens or ones that don't die in winter so I always have a display and yes it does get very cold in winter aswel here ...something hardy so the cats won't dig up either lol x

Santolina does very well in a hot dry spot. You can get silver or green forms and it benefits from being cut hard back every few years. Will tolerate snow.
Verdun

02 May 2014 23:48

Osteospermums love it hot. Nepeta,Helianthemums, Cistus, caryopteris, ceratostigma, aeoniums, etc. eryngiums, yes, but check out Jade Frost. Sedums, from the tiny to the herbaceous perennial ones, will do well there.

Semecio sunshine is a silver grey shrub with yellow flowers and enjoys the sun. Most grey or silver plants like sun. Check out convolvulous cmeorum.....velvety silvery shrub with pure white flowers. Helychrysum......curry plant...is the most silver of plants.

Dracaena palms come in purples, reds and yellow varieties and would do well in hot situations.

Am I the only one to think eryngium jade Frost is something special? Beautiful mixture of foliage colours plus wonderful satiny azure blue flowers completely different to usual eryngiums. Will post a picture when this flowers....usually in June.